• 24-hour Crisis line: 1 (800) 584-3578

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Complex Behavioral Health Needs: Youth experiencing significant, multiple, rare or persistent mental health and\or substance use challenges that impact their functioning in most areas such as the home, education and community requiring specialized, coordinated behavioral health services to ensure the safety of the youth and others as well as function at a level appropriate to developmental level and Intelligence.

Cross System Involvement: Youth who have services or interactions with more than one agency or entity such as involvement in Child Protective Services and the Juvenile Justice System, or involvement in Behavioral Health Services, Substance Use Services and Developmental Disability Administration, etc. Youth with cross system involvement have multiple providers who would benefit from coordination of care and treatment.

North Sound BH-ASO: North Sound Behavioral Health Administrative Services Office.

Multidisciplinary Team (MDT): A multidisciplinary team is a group of people that have different but complementary skills who work towards a shared objective. The term refers to teams where various experiences and abilities are combined with the purpose of achieving common purposes.

The North Sound Youth Navigator Program (YNP) is here to address youth struggling with complex behavioral health needs. This program serves as an access point and support system by collaborating with community partners through a local MultiDisciplinary Team (MDT). This team is made up of specialized community members who assist in accessing appropriate services at the right time and in the best places to promote recovery and stabilization.

North Sound YNP will serve school aged youth who have cross system involvement and/or are experiencing behavioral health challenges who are:
  • Boarding in Emergency Rooms and awaiting placement, a higher level of care or an appropriate discharge disposition. Priority review is given to the population.
  • Youth who may have multiple emergency department visits, inpatient hospitalizations or multiple placements.
  • Youth with high-risk behaviors and challenges stabilizing in community settings.
  • Youth with complex psychosocial presentations that would benefit from an MDT review.

Youth Navigator Program referrals can be submitted by the youth, legal guardian, school staff, ER Staff, community behavioral organizations, etc.
  • Referrals can be submitted regardless of insurance coverage.
  • No payment is required to submit a referral.
  • No payment is required to participate in a MDT meeting.

Referrals are sent through the secure Referral Form. One can also call, email us direct, or fill out our general contact form on our Contact Page.

Multidisciplinary Teams (MDT)

An MDT is a community-based youth and family focused team. They consist of community leaders, behavioral health providers, advocates, educational staff, and health plan who work to assist families and youth with complex behavioral health needs. The team will engage in a variety of care coordination tasks to aid the youth and their legal guardian in obtaining care that meets their individualized needs.

The MDT team, youth and their legal guardian and representation from the youth's current treatment team are all part of the meeting. If the youth or legal guardian have other positive supports they would like to attend, this can be discussed with the YNP Navigator prior to the MDT.

No, an MDT is NOT required for all youth. Sometimes youth and their families just need to be pointed in the right direction, a question answered or given the correct information to be able to move forward in their health care journey.

The MDT team will provide a brief introduction. The legal guardian and their team will provide a brief history of the youth, talk about current concerns, and why the referral was submitted. The team will share their recommendations based on the concerns stated in the initial referral. (safety planning, discharge planning, services, supports, etc.) Along with any additional recommendations or resources.

Disclaimer: MDTs are a collaboration of individuals with the shared purpose of being a community resource for youth and families. The recommendations of the MDT do not guarantee admission into programs, services or providers as eligibility criteria will still apply. Insurance or payment may be required for some services or recommendations. North Sound Behavioral Health is not liable/responsible for any payments.

The North Sound YNP staff will document the MDT team's recommendations and provide a recommendation letter to the youth, legal guardian or referent as appropriate and as allowed by the Release of Information (ROI). YNP staff will do a follow-up call with the youth and or legal guardian.

Have a Question?

If you have a question not answered here, please send us a message through our Contact Form